Data center management using device identification over power-line

Abstract

In one embodiment, a first device (e.g., a host device or power distribution unit) stores identification information of the first device, and determines, over a power connection, when the first device is in powered connectivity with a second device (e.g., a power distribution unit or host device, respectively). The first device may then communicate, with the second device over the power connection, identification information of at least one of either the first or second device, where the communicated identification information is accessible to a third device (e.g., a server) via a data network due to the communicating over the power connection. In another embodiment, a server may determine, based on the identification information, a physical location of a power distribution unit, and may deduce, based on the physical location of the power distribution unit, that a host device is physically located at the physical location of the power distribution unit.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method, comprising:
 receiving, by a management device over a data network, identification information of a host device and a power distribution unit, wherein the host device and the power distribution unit initially communicated the identification information over a power connection that provides powered connectivity from the power distribution unit to the host device; 
 determining, by the management device based on the identification information, a physical location of the power distribution unit; and 
 deducing, by the management device based on the physical location of the power distribution unit, that the host device is physically located at the physical location of the power distribution unit; and 
 based on the deduction, automatically adding the host device to an inventory database on the management device. 
 
     
     
       2. The method as in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 communicating, by the management device with the power distribution unit over the data network, power management messages regarding the host device, wherein the power distribution unit communicates the power management messages with the host device over the power connection. 
 
     
     
       3. The method as in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 determining, by the management device based on the identification information, a dual-power-supply issue with the host device, the dual-power-supply issue based on whether the host device is in proper powered connectivity with two different power distribution units. 
 
     
     
       4. The method as in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 determining, by the management device, that there is a planned power outage within a data center in which the host device and the power distribution unit reside; 
 determining, by the management device based on the identification information, whether any advanced power-based action is to be performed within the data center in response to the planned power outage; and 
 if so, performing the advanced power-based action by the management device. 
 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 maintaining and updating, by the management device, the inventory, wherein the inventory is a data center inventory of host devices. 
 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 managing, by the management device, the host device over the power connection. 
 
     
     
       7. An apparatus operating as a management device in a data network, the apparatus comprising:
 one or more network interfaces to communicate with a network; 
 a processor coupled to the network interfaces and configured to execute one or more processes; and 
 a memory configured to store a process executable by the processor, the process when executed configured to:
 receive identification information of a host device and a power distribution unit, wherein the host device and the power distribution unit initially communicated the identification information over a power connection that provides powered connectivity from the power distribution unit to the host device; 
 determine based on the identification information, a physical location of the power distribution unit; and 
 deduce based on the physical location of the power distribution unit, that the host device is physically located at the physical location of the power distribution unit; and 
 based on the deduction, automatically add the host device to an inventory database on the management device. 
 
 
     
     
       8. The apparatus as in  claim 7 , wherein the process when executed is further configured to:
 communicate with the power distribution unit over the data network, power management messages regarding the host device, wherein the power distribution unit communicates the power management messages with the host device over the power connection. 
 
     
     
       9. The apparatus as in  claim 7 , wherein the process when executed is further configured to:
 determine based on the identification information, a dual-power-supply issue with the host device, the dual-power-supply issue based on whether the host device is in proper powered connectivity with two different power distribution units. 
 
     
     
       10. The apparatus as in  claim 7 , wherein the process when executed is further configured to:
 determine that there is a planned power outage within a data center in which the host device and the power distribution unit reside; 
 determine based on the identification information, whether any advanced power-based action is to be performed within the data center in response to the planned power outage; and 
 if so, perform the advanced power-based action by the management device. 
 
     
     
       11. The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the process when executed is further configured to:
 maintain and update the inventory, wherein the inventory is a data center inventory of host devices. 
 
     
     
       12. The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the process when executed is further configured to:
 manage the host device over the power connection. 
 
     
     
       13. A tangible, non-transitory, computer-readable media having software encoded thereon, the software when executed by a processor configured to:
 receive identification information of a host device and a power distribution unit, wherein the host device and the power distribution unit initially communicated the identification information over a power connection that provides powered connectivity from the power distribution unit to the host device; 
 determine based on the identification information, a physical location of the power distribution unit; and 
 deduce based on the physical location of the power distribution unit, that the host device is physically located at the physical location of the power distribution unit; and 
 based on the deduction, automatically add the host device to an inventory database on a management device. 
 
     
     
       14. The tangible, non-transitory, computer-readable media as in  claim 13 , wherein the process when executed is further configured to:
 communicate with the power distribution unit over a data network, power management messages regarding the host device, wherein the power distribution unit communicates the power management messages with the host device over the power connection. 
 
     
     
       15. The tangible, non-transitory, computer-readable media as in  claim 13 , wherein the process when executed is further configured to:
 determine based on the identification information, a dual-power-supply issue with the host device, the dual-power-supply issue based on whether the host device is in proper powered connectivity with two different power distribution units. 
 
     
     
       16. The tangible, non-transitory, computer-readable media as in  claim 13 , wherein the process when executed is further configured to:
 determine that there is a planned power outage within a data center in which the host device and the power distribution unit reside; 
 determine based on the identification information, whether any advanced power-based action is to be performed within the data center in response to the planned power outage; and 
 if so, perform the advanced power-based action by the management device. 
 
     
     
       17. The tangible, non-transitory, computer-readable media as in  claim 13 , wherein the process when executed is further configured to:
 maintain and update the inventory, wherein the inventory is a data center inventory of host devices. 
 
     
     
       18. The tangible, non-transitory, computer-readable media as in  claim 13 , wherein the process when executed is further configured to:
 manage the host device over the power connection.